Euro 2016 Qualification - As it stands

With two rounds of fixtures remaining, there is a lot to play for in Euro 2016 qualification and a number of different sides could still make it to France next year

The remaining two rounds of Euro 2016 qualifcation get underway on Thursday, with a place at the tournament in France still up for grabs for a number of countries.

Austria, Czech Republic, England and Iceland have already booked their spot at the 2016 tournament, while big hitters such as Germany and Spain still need some crucial points from the remaining two rounds of fixtures in order to ensure their participation.

Goal takes a look at the group stage tables as it stands and the possible permutations...

Group A :

Czech Republic and Iceland have already secured qualification after memorable group campaigns, with more established favourites the Netherlands and Turkey falling by the wayside. At the top of the group, with both qualified teams sitting on 19 points, the final two rounds of fixtures will decide who heads to France with the added bonus of group winner.

The real intrigue, however, lies with the third spot and the passage through to the play-offs. Danny Blind's Netherlands are two points behind Turkey who currently occupy the third spot, with the Dutch squad neediing Fatih Terim's side to slip up if they are to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs.

The situation in Group B is somewhat more open than in Group A, with qualification yet to be decided for all six sides. Wales and Belgium remain strong favourites and have both secured a play-off spot at least, with Chris Coleman's squad one point ahead of the Belgians in first place, needing just a point from the two remaining matches against Andorra and Bosnia-Herzegovina to secure an historic place at an international tournament. Belgium, meanwhile, need just one victory to progress, though Israel, down in third place, could ensure qualification if the two leaders of the group slip up.

The play-off situation is also multi-faceted, with Israel most likely to remain in third, though both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus still have hopes of pipping them.

Spain sit top of Group C with a likely win over Luxembourg enough to take them into the tournament in France. Slovakia, who were top for much of the campaign before falling Vicente del Bosque's side last month, sit second, three points ahead of Ukraine with a winnable match against Luxembourg able to see them through on goal difference a the least, should Ukraine overcome the points gap. But Mykhaylo Fomenko's side, who have ensured a play-off place, can still qualify directly if they pick up enough points in matches against Macedonia and Spain.

Germany lead the group and have ensured their place in the play-offs at the very least, with direct qualification assured as long as they avoid defeat against Ireland. Poland are two points behind Germany and could capitalise if the World Cup winners slip up, but looking over their shoulder, Ireland sit on 15 points with games against Germany and the Poles able to secure qualification with two wins.

Scotland still have an outside chance of making the play-offs, needing two wins from their remaining fixtures and hoping that Martin O'Neil's side slip up.

England have comfortably wrapped up qualification and top spot in the group, but below Roy Hodgson's men things get interesting. Switzerland are second on 15 points but both Slovenia and Estonia could overtake the Swiss, should they slip improbably slip up, though with a match against San Marino that remains unlikely.

Should Vladimir Petkovic's side qualify, the play-off spot will go through a three-way tussle between Slovenia, who are currently third, and the two Baltic nations - Estonia and Lithuania. First aside, there's all to play for.

Much is yet to be decided in Group F, with leaders Northern Ireland needing a win over bottom-placed Greece to qualify directly for their first ever European Championship, but could still qualify without picking up any more points should Hungary slip up in both fixtures. Romania are in second, just a point behind Michael O'Neil's side, and can ensure qualification if they better Hungary's results.

Hungary need one of the top two to slip up to have any chance of qualification, while Finland are in fourth, three points behind Hungary, still harbouring hopes of a play-off spot and with an outside shot of pinching second place.

Austria have already qualified comfortably for the final tournament and will take first place whatever happens. Russia are resurgent under Leonid Slutskiy, gaining an important win over Sweden last month, with matches against Moldova and Montenegro providing them with the opportuntiy to progress. Sweden are two points behind Russa in third, hoping Slutskiy's side slip up, while Montengro can still qualify with two wins from their remaining games against Austria and Russia, but they need the teams above them to slip up.

Should Sweden and Montenegro fail to overtake Russia and gain second place, the two sides will then fight it out for the play-off spot.

Italy sit top of the group on 18 points, two ahead of nearest rivals Norway, with both sides guarenteed at least a play-off spot. Croatia are a further two behind the Scandinavian side, hoping that they slip up in the final round of fixtures against Italy, but equally desperate to win Saturday's match against Bulgaria, who still have an outside chance of securing a play-off spot.

Azerbaijan and Malta trail, with little to play for, but could upset the apple-cart somewhat in the final rounds of fixtures.

Portugal sit top of the group on 15 points, three points ahead of Denmark ahead of the two nations' crunch match on Thursday. Albania are just a further point off Denmark as they prepare for the fiesty affair against Serbia on Thursday, with qualification possible should the Danes slip up and a play-off spot already guaranteed.

Armenia and Serbia are far off the pace, but with games against the top three to come they could have an impact on the final standings yet.

Remaining fixtures :

October 8 (Thursday): Albania v Serbia; Portugal v Denmark

October 11 (Sunday): Armenia v Albania; Serbia v Portugal

Best third-placed team :

Following the expansion of the tournament and the rule changes introduced by Uefa for Euro 2016 qualification, the third-placed team with the most points is guaranteed automatic qualification, though the standings do not include points picked up agains the sixth-placed teams. Ukraine are currently the third-placed team with the most points according to tournament rules with 13 points. Hungary have 12 with Croatia and Albania on 11 and Ireland, Sweden and Slovenia on nine. Israel and Turkey bring up the rear on seven and six points respectively.